New Publications. 26j 



the hiftory of the earths. In the Jifib the properties of the 

 different mineral acids are explained with confiderable mi- 

 nutenefs of detail. The chemical compofition of vegetables, 

 their principles immediate and ultimate, with their ufes in 

 the arts, are the fubjcds of the Jixth chapter. The feventh 

 chapter is employed upon animal matters. Fermentation 

 and putrefaftion are the fubjefts of the eighth. The ninth 

 and tenth chapters cive the chemical hiftory of bituminous 

 and carbonaceous minerals. The metals are the fubjefts of 

 the eleventh. Tables of attraftions, fpccific gravities, weights, 

 meafures. Sec. fill nine articles of an appendix, A copious in- 

 dex concludes the laft volume. A preface by the tranflator, and 

 a table of contents, are prefixed at the beginning of the firft. 



Such are the parts, the ftru6lure, the exterior form, of 

 this \Vork. Its icientific value is not to be difcovered with- 

 out a more intimate examination of it. 



It traces the general hiftory of chemiftry from the fuppofed 

 origin of the fcience, among the ancient Egyptians, to the 

 aera of its laft great improvement by the creation of the anti- 

 phlogiftic fyftem. 



In the explanation of the firft general laws of chemical 

 fcience, or what may be called the metaphyjics of chemijhy^ 

 Dr. Gren teaches, that the attraftion, the cohefion, and the 

 expanfion of matter depend upon three diftincSt laws : that 

 matter fills all fpace, without any intervening vacuity : that 

 it is, however, poffible for two particles of matter to exift to- 

 gether in the fame fpace at the fame time : that thofe wliich 

 are called permanently elafiic jluids are not condenfible nor 

 dcftru6lible by the mere abftradion of their caloric : that the 

 affinity of compofition, the fimple affinity, and the double 

 affinity, are the only diftinguifliable modes of chemical at- 

 traction : that cffervefcence ia no indication of any great ac- 

 tivity of attraftive force. 



Solution, fufion, evaporation, diftillation; the fubordinate 

 modes of thefc different proceffes, and the veffels and imple- 

 ments with which they are ufually performed, he defcribes 

 with confiderable accuracy and clearncfs. 



Concerning caloric, this ingenious chemifl teaches, that 

 M m % it 



